Derby Jockeys

[1hooper]

Meeting scheduled for today at 1:00. HRN.

Could jockeys expecting to take part in the Kentucky Derby (G1) be forced by new pandemic rules to choose between the two-minute ride of a lifetime and weeks of sometimes lucrative races in California and New York?
That question is being asked by agents who are bracing to hear Monday that jockeys might have to be isolated in Louisville for 10 days before riding on the Oaks and Derby cards Sept. 4 and 5. Then they would face further quarantine when they went back to their home bases.

“I’ve been hearing about that for a couple weeks,” said Derek Lawson, the agent for 2019 Derby-winning rider Flavien Prat. “Leaving 10 days early to ride the Derby and not being able to come back the last two days (at Del Mar), how much are we going to have to sacrifice? We’re riding a card almost every single day.”

Officials and spokesmen at Churchill Downs could not be reached Sunday. Several agents and jockeys shared a text with HRN that they received during the weekend informing them of a “(CD Virtual Town Hall Meeting) To be held on Aug. 3rd at 1PM EST. Topics include med withdrawals and Derby protocols.”

[cherokeescot]

Wow , even more strict ,12 days ..some big decisions ahead

www.horseracingnation.com/news/Kentucky_Derby_jockeys_must_be_in_state_by_Aug_24_123

[1hooper]

I would think there is an internal debate about spectators also.
Not sure how Ky is doing with their virus numbers.

[tenfurlongs]

experience.arcgis.com/experience/647a7cae97c64091b63fee0bd55b140c

TW

[hezethebest]

Any NY based jockey who wants to ride in the Derby gives up even more. Not only would they have to arrive in Kentucky well ahead of their target mount, when they return to NY they would have to self quarantine for 14 days if Kentucky happens to be on Cuomo's list of travel restricted states. That list changes every few days so lots of guesswork!

LL

[cherokeescot]

I don’t believe the Churchill Downs jockey rules are written in stone yet. Bob Baffert doesn’t like them so who knows what will happen. As it is the only guys from New York that I see going would be Manny Franco (Tiz the Law) and Luis Saez (Uncle Chuck) but that could change after Travers on Saturday. 

[ozzy]

Numbers in KY on the rise last few weeks but still about 5.5% positive rate. Big debate as an antibody positive is being considered a case, etc but let’s not dive into the politics of all that. Currently groups outside of work/church limited to 10 or less. Restaurants can have 25% capacity inside and unlimited outside with social distancing. Masks required everywhere.... schools delaying until end of month to start and many electing to go online only through October. Not a good feeling as to fans at CD after comments by governor earlier this week and Indy going without fans for the 500. CD following state regs as to quarantine status to certain areas so that is driver for some of the protocol. Plan now is I have to test 8/24 and 8/31 and be negative on both given I will have access to jocks but still a waiting game at this point.

[1hooper]

Good luck Oz.
Can only imagine the pressure on those involved in the final decision.

[Badactor]

Be safe, Mr Osborne.

[1hooper]

Jose and Irad Ortiz Jr. will skip the Kentucky Derby due to the travel restrictions in place by the New York Racing Association and Churchill Downs, according to the Daily Racing Form's David Grening.

Officials announced this week that jockeys competing Derby week would be required to be in Kentucky by Aug. 31 due to new COVID-19 biosecurity protocols. NYRA had previously announced that jockeys, trainers, and backstretch employees leaving the grounds at Saratoga Race Course and traveling out-of-state would not be permitted to re-enter track grounds to participate in the current summer meet.

Other riders staying to finish the Saratoga meet include Joel Rosario and Luis Saez.